add comments about id
diff --git a/src/main/java/com/google/code/gossip/GossipMember.java b/src/main/java/com/google/code/gossip/GossipMember.java
index bf60820..204ab5a 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/google/code/gossip/GossipMember.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/google/code/gossip/GossipMember.java
@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@
protected final String _host;
protected final int _port;
protected int _heartbeat;
+ /**
+ * The purpose of the id field is to be able for nodes to identify themselves beyond there host/port. For example
+ * an application might generate a persistent id so if they rejoin the cluster at a different host and port we
+ * are aware it is the same node.
+ */
protected String _id;
/**
@@ -26,6 +31,7 @@
* @param host The hostname or IP address.
* @param port The port number.
* @param heartbeat The current heartbeat.
+ * @param id an id that may be replaced after contact
*/
public GossipMember(String host, int port, String id, int heartbeat) {
_host = host;
